Expired EPC in London: What to Do Next
If your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) has expired and you are planning to sell or rent your property, it is important to check the certificate before putting the property on the market.
An EPC is generally valid for 10 years. If the certificate has expired, you may need a new assessment before marketing the property. GOV.UK provides an online service where you can check an existing EPC using the property postcode, street name or certificate number.
For homeowners, landlords and estate agents in London, checking the EPC early can help avoid unnecessary delays when preparing a property for sale or rental.
How Do I Know If My EPC Has Expired?
The easiest way to check is through the official government EPC service.
You can search for your property’s certificate using its:
Postcode
Street name and town
EPC certificate number
Check your EPC on the official GOV.UK register Find an energy certificate – GOV.UK
The government service will show whether an EPC exists for the property. If the certificate has expired or there is no certificate available, you may need to arrange a new assessment.
How Long Is an EPC Valid?
An EPC is generally valid for 10 years.
You do not normally need a new EPC simply because a property has been sold or a tenant has changed, as long as the existing EPC is still valid and has not been replaced by a newer certificate.
For example, if an EPC was issued in June 2018, it would generally remain valid until June 2028.
However, if the certificate has already expired, it is worth arranging a new assessment before your property marketing plans move forward.
Do I Need a New EPC to Sell My Property?
If your property is being prepared for sale and the existing EPC has expired, you may need a new certificate.
GOV.UK guidance states that where there is no valid EPC, an EPC must be commissioned before a building is put on the market.
If you are selling a London property, checking the EPC should therefore be part of your preparation checklist.
You can also read our guide on EPC for selling a property in London for more information about the role of an EPC during the selling process.
Read our guide to EPC for selling a property in London EPC for Selling a Property in London: What You Need to Know
What If My EPC Has Expired Before Renting Out the Property?
Landlords should check their EPC before preparing a rental property for marketing.
For domestic private rented properties, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) rules also apply. GOV.UK states that properties covered by the regulations generally need an EPC rating of E or above, unless a valid exemption applies.
If your old EPC has expired, arranging a new assessment gives you an up-to-date certificate and current rating for the property.
Read our London landlord EPC guide EPC for Renting a Property in London: A Landlord’s Guide
What Should You Do If Your EPC Has Expired?
The process is straightforward.
1. Check Your Existing EPC
Start by checking the official government register.
This lets you confirm whether your property already has a certificate and whether it is still available on the register.
2. Check the Expiry Date
If an EPC exists, check its date of issue and validity.
Remember that an EPC is generally valid for 10 years.
3. Arrange a New Assessment
If the certificate has expired, you can arrange a new EPC assessment with an accredited energy assessor.
GOV.UK provides a service for finding an accredited assessor in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Learn more about our professional EPC service in London EPC London – Professional Energy Performance Certificates
4. Get Your Property Ready
Before the assessor arrives, make sure the property can be accessed easily.
It can also be useful to have information about recent improvements available, such as:
New heating systems
Boiler upgrades
Insulation
Double glazing
Solar panels
Other energy-efficiency improvements
This can help the assessor collect the relevant information about the property.
For more information about what an assessor checks, read our detailed guide.
See what happens during an EPC assessment What Does an EPC Assessment Include? A Complete Guide for London Property Owners
What Happens During a New EPC Assessment?
An accredited energy assessor visits the property and collects information about its construction and energy-related features.
Depending on the property, this can include:
Walls and insulation
Roof and floor construction
Windows and glazing
Heating systems
Hot water
Lighting
Renewable energy features
The information is then used to calculate the property’s energy performance rating.
The EPC uses an A to G rating scale, with A representing the highest level of energy efficiency.
Need an EPC Quickly in London?
An expired EPC can become a problem when a property is already being prepared for sale or rental.
If you have a tight deadline, you may want to consider a fast or same-day EPC service, subject to assessor availability and property access.
Read our guide to getting a Same Day EPC in London Same Day EPC London: How to Get an EPC Certificate Quickly
EPC Rate London provides EPC services across areas including Croydon, Mitcham, Clapham, Streatham, Tooting, Sutton and surrounding Surrey postcodes.
Can You Arrange Photography and a Floor Plan at the Same Time?
If you are preparing a property for sale or rental, the EPC may only be one part of your preparation.
You may also need professional property photographs and a floor plan for your property listing.
Arranging these services together can reduce the number of appointments you need to coordinate.
See our professional property photography service Professional Property Photography & Drone Services
See our professional property floor plan service Affordable Floor Plans for Rental and Sale Properties
For properties in Croydon and surrounding areas, you can also arrange EPC, photography and floor plans together.
Explore the combined EPC, photography and floor plan service Property Marketing Services in Croydon: EPC, Photography and Floor Plans
How Much Does a New EPC Cost in London?
The price of an EPC depends on the property and the type of assessment required.
EPC Rate London currently lists domestic EPC prices starting from £45 for a studio flat, with different prices for larger properties. Always check the current pricing before booking.
View current EPC pricing EPC Pricing – EPC Rate London
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an EPC valid?
An EPC is generally valid for 10 years, unless it has been replaced by a newer certificate.
Can I check if my EPC has expired online?
Yes. You can use the official GOV.UK energy certificate service to search for your property and check its certificate details.
Do I need a new EPC if I am selling my property?
If your existing EPC is no longer valid, you may need to arrange a new EPC before marketing the property. GOV.UK provides guidance on EPC requirements for selling and renting.
Do landlords need an EPC?
Landlords generally need an EPC for properties covered by the relevant regulations, with specific exemptions and requirements applying in some circumstances. Domestic private rented properties covered by MEES generally need an EPC rating of E or above unless a valid exemption applies.
Can I get an EPC quickly?
Fast and same-day EPC appointments may be available depending on the assessor’s availability, your postcode and property access.
Can I book photography and a floor plan with my EPC?
Yes. EPC Rate London also provides professional property photography and floor plans, allowing property owners and agents to arrange several property marketing services together.
Check Your EPC Before Marketing Your Property
An expired EPC is easy to overlook, especially if you have owned the property for several years.
Before selling or renting a London property, check the official EPC register and confirm that your certificate is still valid. If it has expired, arrange a new assessment before your property marketing plans progress.
For a new EPC assessment, you can check our current EPC pricing or contact our team to arrange an assessment.
Check EPC pricing and booking options EPC Pricing
Contact EPC Rate London Contact Us
Official source: GOV.UK EPC guidance Energy Performance Certificates – GOV.UK